Toy Story Mania, is it really all that?

soniam · May 4, 2015

It's pretty fun. I think the fun part is that it's competitive. That's what sucks you in and makes you want to do it again. It's like Buzz, but more immersive and easier to hit things. However, it could be worse if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel. My wrist aches bad for a while after riding it, but I kicked DH and DS's booties last trip :banana:

We have only ever done it once per trip, because we will only ride it at WDW with FP+ or FP-. Also, we usually don't do multiple days at DHS. We did wait for it a while ~30minutes at DLR, but you have no choice there if you want to ride. Next trip, hopefully we will be going during Star Wars Weekends, so we will be going to DHS on multiple days. It's one of those rides that even trying to hit it multiple times at RD, especially during the high seasons, is pretty hard, unless you want to wait a long time.

agavegirl1 · May 4, 2015

It is interesting that for those who love the ride, they do so for the same reasons I like "Men in Black" at Universal Studios. But I can ride that one repeatedly with an onsite deluxe hotel reservation. I enjoy the competitive nature of the ride as well. I don't mind the spinning of the car and strategy has to be learned by repeated riding. However, I do prefer the aim and shoot aspect of Buzz. The pull cord on Toy Story is harder to do and I have had a ride where mine was not functioning. Needless to say, crappy score.

whitney250 · May 4, 2015

It's cute and a lot of fun. My grandma LOVES it lol It's a must do for us.

goofy4prez · May 4, 2015

I remember the first time we were in Disney World back in 2008. We arrived at HS an hour before rope drop, staked our turf, and was completely surprised that once the park opened there was a mad dash like the running of the bulls toward Toy Story (Fortunately Disney has changed this procedure). We refused to run and actually was knocked into and almost knocked over several times. I kept thinking that TSM has to be some kind of incredible experience to garner this kind of complete excitement and total disregard for the well being of those around them. After the few minute walk to the attraction I was surprised there was already a 30 minute wait. I passed on it, stood in the nearly 10 minute line to the old FP and come back later. When we did come back, I was intrigued by the Que and thought it was cute. Once we got on the ride and did it, I thought it was fun, but no where at all did I think it was worth running, pushing, shoving or coming back to do it again for our Disney Stay. In short, do I enjoy the attraction? Yes. Is it fun? Yes. But it is not an out of body experience for me where I am in a complete state of euphoria where I have to ride it or my Disney experience will not be complete.

OThopeful35 · May 5, 2015

I love it but my DS12 could take it or leave it. We always get a FP though.

goodgodmrsmolly · May 5, 2015

It is not the same type of ride as Buzz. Actually, the moving part of TSMM is the worst part. I don't understand why they never just added some spaces to play the game without moving, since you stop at each screen/station in the ride for 30 seconds, they could get people into a stationary seat with a screen in front to play the game much quicker and it would cut down the lines for those that just want to play. Since they sell versions for home video game consoles, why not? It would have fit in at Disney Quest without taking up a lot of room. But I guess they feel the "ride" part is just as important and are planning on adding more capacity.

dpswift · May 5, 2015

Magic Band Defender said:
It is different/better than the Buzz ride at MK. BUT, I personally don't think it's worth waiting 90+ minutes for. It is one of the only rides at DHS geared towards little ones/non-thrill seekers, which I think increases it's popularity more than if it were at another park. The lines for TSMM are not nearly as long in California Adventure.

Last May we waited 90 minutes in CA. It was worse than waiting in Florida because so much of it was outside.

once · May 5, 2015

I like all 3 Toy Story movies but Buzz Lightyear ride was very boring to me. I only go for the photo. Toy Story Mania, on the other hand, is so much fun. It reminds me of the shoot-the-target video games i played as kids, only in 3D with better special effects. I couldn't find the score they post afterward so I'll need to keep my eyes wide opened on that one.

I had FP and waited about 30min. Will defenitely do it again.

PeasandCarrots · May 5, 2015

JohnDaleswife said:
Is Toy Story Mania really all that? Is it pretty much the same as that Buzz ride in the Magic Kingdom?

I like it a lot more than Buzz, however it is roughly the same idea and no, nothing about it justifies a long wait. I could skip it entirely and I wouldn't be horribly upset. It's cute, it's fun, it's family friendly.

Why is the line long?
- All ages can ride - it's not scary or thrilling
- DHS is lacking rides in general and has even fewer that "everyone" will enjoy
- It's new (for that park) - yes I know it's got some years on it now, but it's still the newest ride
- Honestly I think some of it is hype - all the books, guides and message boards say it's a must get for FP+, so first timers will book it even though they don't know if they will like it
- People like me will book FP+ for it even if it's not my first choice just to avoid the long line - this in turn makes it harder to get -it's like a snowball rolling downhill

7KLucky · May 5, 2015

JohnDaleswife said:
Is Toy Story Mania really all that? Is it pretty much the same as that Buzz ride in the Magic Kingdom?

I have waited over an hour but I of course prefer FP. This is a highlight for our family. The line is cute with all the toys and it is a fun atmosphere for the family to compete. We laugh and the kids giggle, the boys compete and tease each other. Def. worth it for us- just for the fun and memory. Best ride ever- no

Ambear · May 5, 2015

The line for this ride is generally insanely busy, and I'll wonder while I'm waiting if it's worth it at all. But then the ride is so fun that I don't usually regret waiting for it.

goodgodmrsmolly said:
It is not the same type of ride as Buzz. Actually, the moving part of TSMM is the worst part. I don't understand why they never just added some spaces to play the game without moving, since you stop at each screen/station in the ride for 30 seconds, they could get people into a stationary seat with a screen in front to play the game much quicker and it would cut down the lines for those that just want to play. Since they sell versions for home video game consoles, why not? It would have fit in at Disney Quest without taking up a lot of room. But I guess they feel the "ride" part is just as important and are planning on adding more capacity.

This is so right! It'd be cool if they made this a game at Disney Quest!

txlibrarian · May 5, 2015

Not near the hype it seems at Disneyland. We rode 3 times in a row at rope drop on April 26th & 27th. Everyone at DL heads to Cars so other rides are walk ons there.

Fantabulously Cherry · May 5, 2015

It's not worth the long wait (we always FP this one), but it is better than Buzz. I love Buzz but I would love to see an update to it with the technology of TSMM!

Aurora0427 · May 5, 2015

It's a totally different ride from the ride at MK. Is it worth waiting 120 minutes in line? In our opinion, NO WAY!

mkla2015 · May 5, 2015

It's a fun ride but I wouldn't wait more than 30 mins to ride it. I'd say it's worth a FP though. DS3 loved it but DD5 wasn't a fan.

Brian Noble · May 5, 2015

JohnDaleswife said:
Is Toy Story Mania really all that? Is it pretty much the same as that Buzz ride in the Magic Kingdom?

The year it opened was also the first visit we took after Kim Possible opened in Epcot. I had two mornings in Studios planned specifically for Toy Story. Much to my surprise, my kids (at the time, 9 and 7) opted for more Kim Possible missions instead of a second morning in Studios. In the years since, they've enjoyed it, but it tends to take third place after Coaster and Tower for us.

Shmily01 · May 5, 2015

My family loves this ride as well. The queue is cute and the ride is really fun. However, we would never wait in a line longer than 30-45 for this.

JaimieJ · May 5, 2015

I enjoy this ride, not enough to wait too long for it though. Longer than a 30 min wait on anything is a no in my book, but funny enough last December my family and I got in line with a 20 min wait, I'm not sure what happened but we were in line for almost 2 hours..

zlah31 · May 5, 2015

Is it worth a FP or long wait for younger kids? They will be 3.5 and 2 so not sure they will keep 3d glasses on. I know DH would love it so hoping kids can enjoy even without 3d effects.

luvmy2babies · May 5, 2015

My crew loves it. It’s the only ride there where my children immediately ask to go on again, even though that is impossible. My son loves it even though he just sits between his sister and me watching. We generally try for 2 rides a visit, one at rope drop and one with a fast pass (+). Once we did 3 rides. Our 3rd we waited 45 minutes; but we had done everything else we wanted to do except the Beauty and the Beast show and the next show as 90 minutes away; plus it was raining so we figured why not. We love the Buzz Light-year ride too; but the difference is amazing. For us it is easier to aim at the targets and you know how many points they are worth which is helpful to my daughter whose mission in life during our trips is to beat me on this ride.

Toy Story Mania, is it really all that?

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